The District of Columbia has the strongest protections in the United States for wronged consumers. DC Code §28-3901, the Consumer Protection Procedures Act, provides for damages starting at $1500 per violation, regardless of how much you were ripped off for. It also provides for punitive damages, and requires a deceptive business to pay your legal costs. The DC law or federal laws prohibit any deceptive practice. A full list is too long to include here, but some examples of deception or illegal practices include:

False Advertising

“Bait-and-switch”

Claiming a product or service has properties that it does not have

Selling an unsafe product or service

Unfair credit practices

Targeting minority communities with expensive credit terms

Failing to tell consumers about certain rights they have

Harassment from bill collectors

And many others

If you feel like a company has ripped you off, or is trying to rip you off, contact us right away. Don’t worry if you can’t afford an attorney: initial consumer law consultations are free, and if we decide to work together, the law provides for the other side to pay your legal costs.